Sarah E. Moffett

Big Yamagata fan here. For those of you who do not know what or who a Yamagata is, shift from your Japanimation thoughts to a world of smoky lounge singers that rock to honest, vulnerable lyrics that spare the audience sentimental sap. Rachael Yamagata recently wrapped up her pre-album release tour, and posted this sincere and beautiful summary. Writers, readers, music listeners, and travelers alike will appreciate. Enjoy.

I’m having post tour traumatic syndrome. I’ve been told it’s best to go on vacation directly after a tour so one can slowly readjust to the normalcy of life. It takes a minute to fall asleep again in a bed not on wheels and realize that there are in fact separate days of the week, closets and full bathroom counters just waiting for you to leave lotions and potions instead of a toiletry bag at the foot of your bunk. It is perhaps unusual to wake up with 10 great groggy friends every day and hit the streets of each new town as a pack. One doesn’t necessarily have to purchase fish painted paperweights and metallic dresses or drink like a fish and listen to metal, wondering did we actually meet baton twirlers last night and go roller skating and what is that faint memory of standing under a dart board egging on folks to hit the above bullseye and not my head? Where is my little book telling me where we are and when to be there and the city map showing how to navigate the streets from the organic juice bar to the venue? And why are my nights not filled with new crowds and killer music from my buds who weren’t afraid to sport fake mustaches and plaid dresses, new Orleans feathered masks and babies on their feet? Why am I now sitting in my garden, chainsmoking, designing websites and thinking/ but not going to the gym while the neighboring handyman of the building next door keeps whistling for attention.

I tell you.. It takes a minute.

I will leave the details of this latest adventure to www.myspace/browntidalwave because kenny bloggins (aka michael chavez) did a fabulous job of marking every moment of this mandy moore, ben lee, chris stills and moi tour. I will say that not every tour leaves you feeling like you will know these people forever or consider them friends you can lean on, but this one WAS one of those tours and I cannot say enough about the beauty of these folk and of course their supreme musical talent that I got to witness night after night. Mandy is astounding live and she killed it. She is a damn good leader of the band and can work a crowd like the best of them, isn’t afraid of experimenting with her songs or giving of herself in the most vulnerable of moments, picking up the guitar, letting her fans get a feel for soundcheck and basically being a rock. ( A rock who can shop, of course.) Her new record performed live was an inspiration and the crowd ate it up every night. Thank you to them and to my own that were stellar audiences night after night. The pin drops and roars kept us knowing we were on the right track.

Chris Stills and Ben Lee – stars. You are and your music and performances were magical. Ben commands a crowd in a way that can only be described as ‘in the palm of his hand’ and Stillsy – if there is heaven in a voice, it surely is in yours. O’Reaaally, Weatherman, Allaaagia, Louboutin, Queen Bee, and MC Hammered – where have you been all my life and how do you do it? Thank you for rocking out with me and giving me shivers. Your musical genius, time and encouragement was a blessing. Clifster, Adrian and Chef Sean – you made us sound so good and damn those burgers were tasty. John, I still want to come to your ranch so save me a mare and Linnnndaaa – you kept me going girl. Muchos gracias for settling me up, down and out – you have become my new style icon btw.

So from Dallas to St. Petersburg, Boston to L.A. I say thank to everyone who came out to see these shows. I am newly inspired to get back on the road and see you all again with a new record in tow. It will happen, I promise you for I’m not yet meant for a life without swims in a cold ny river, naked parades of new Orleans, alligators of florida, vegas’ instant spin, bowling with the beasties, Easton power outage recording storms, 3am border crossing raids, hurricaines and peanut butter shakes and coffee and cigs with my friends in the perfect parking lot all dressed up in our pjs scaring hotel staff from coast to coast. Until next time…

Post taken from Yamagata’s MySpace Site.

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